El Wingador Book reviewed By NJ.com’s Bob Shryock

El Wingador Book reviewed By NJ.com’s Bob Shryock

South Jersey writing legend and NJ.com’s Bob Shryock recently reviewed “Snow On The Barb Wire,” the new tell-all memoir written by Bill “El Wingador” Simmons and Joe Vallee.

Check it out!

Bill “El Wingador” Simmons’ tumultuous journey from five-time Wing Bowl champion to incarceration for drug dealing is recounted in “Snow on the Barb Wire,” a tell-all book he has co-authored with up-and-coming writer Joe Vallee with the foreword by Angelo Cataldi, the WIP radio host who helped establish and nurture Wingador’s persona.

Depicted as a “true story of triumph, tragedy and redemption,” the book, deeply imbedded in Gloucester County life, is available on amazon.com. The first book signing will be Wednesday at Chickie’s and Pete’s near the ball park.

“Writing it was difficult for him, but he got through it,” says Vallee, a close friend who is founder and CEO of Philly2Philly.com and now author of three books.

The 15-chapter manuscript traces Simmons’ tough upbringing in several Gloucester County communities, to his addiction with drugs, athletic participation in his teen years, branding the Wingador name, the heavy influence of food in his life, his distraught family as a result of the turmoil, and what he describes as several “near-death” experiences while serving his prison term.

At issue in the book is Simmons’ accountability on several sensitive issues although, for the most part, he is quick to judge himself unfavorably. But he doesn’t fear taking his shots.

A charismatic guy, both on the East Coast and nationally, Simmons’ ability to consume more chicken wings than his competition at an alarming speed helped make him a dynamic personality, much in demand for personal appearances.

From authors’ profiles: “There was trouble brewing. A recession, followed by a failed business venture and the events surrounding its demise left Bill in desolate circumstances which led him down a dangerous and destructive path of drug-dealing. Bill’s transgressions caught up with him when he was arrested in 2012 and subsequently sentenced.

You can read the rest of Bob Shryock’s “Snow On The Barb Wire” review here.